It started with a seat sale. Air Asia had unbelievably cheap seats bound for Macau on my husband's birthday week. We immediately agreed to book our flight as our wanderlust has been dormant for far too long. It was a deal we could not deny ourselves. We thought about it for a while and decided to go to the Great Wall to tick it off our bucket list. As I had a cousin in Guangzhou, we also decided to pay her a visit.

I immediately planned our itinerary. Here is how it went. We arrived in Macau before lunch so we stopped by a few sights then headed straight to Guangzhou via land travel. Guangzhou is only a 2-hour bus ride from Macau-Zhuhai land border.

The next day we flew to Beijing via Air China's early evening flight, got picked up by our tour provider in Beijing and dropped off at our hotel. On Day 3 we headed to Jade Factory, Ming Tombs, get an authentic Chinese lunch, climbed the Great Wall and visited a traditional silk shop. On the way back to the city, we cruised by the Olympic sites like The Bird's Nest and Water Cube. The following day, we visited the pearl factory, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, had lunch at a traditional family restaurant, experienced Traditional Chinese Medicine and visited Forbidden City, also called The Palace Museum. We opted to walk around the hotel block on Day 5 and get some rest because we walk 5kms each day on the average, our legs and feet complaining about our weights. Ha! By the sixth day, we were courageous enough to explore the gorgeous city on our own. We went to Beihai Park, Jingshan Park and had a loooong walk towards Wangfujing district. The customary Peking Duck was on our dinner menu that day and we had a terrific meal (as always. Thank you Beijing!). On our last day in the city, we finally got to visit Tiananmen Square which was closed the previous days due to their week-long National Day (and boy was it CRAZY!).

In the evening we boarded our flight back to Guangzhou, my basic Mandarin and charades skills in tow. Thankfully, we made it to my cousin's place on our own. We visited Chen Clan Academy the next day and literally shopped till we dropped. The city is a shopping haven with really unbelievable bargains. The following day, we celebrated hubby's birthday! First off, shopping for us and our families, then a romantic night cruise at Pearl River and a sumptuous late dinner (we literally had a feast!) to cap off the special day.

Early the next day, we headed back to Macau and checked in at our hotel. We later on visited the Grand Prix Museum and Wine Museum, Senado Square and St. Paul's Ruins, had delectable egg tarts and pork jerky, explored the city's lively night scene, casinos and Macau Tower, and got wowed by Venetian Macau. It was a very long day indeed and regretfully, our trip was coming to an end. We admired the beautiful nightscape by our window and slept very peacefully. We woke up early the next day, had breakfast and explored the hotel's pool and lounge area. We then packed our bags and headed to the airport to bid goodbye to Macau.

Have fun browsing photos below. Many happy travels!

TIP: Click on a photo to open the gallery for actual photo size.

Macau Highlights

Macau Grand Prix Museum

Our personal favorite was Ayrton Senna's exhibit. Take note the museum is closed on Tuesdays. Entrance is free until December 31 2014.

So is it worth a visit? YEAH, since we loved the movie Senna, and we love cars!

Guia Fort

Is it worth a visit? If you like hiking and plenty of time to kill then yes because it is a bit far from the city center. The fort is closed on Mondays and we didn't find any cable car as was mentioned in several reviews. Make sure you have drinking water with you and possibly a change of shirt if you're not going during winter time. It is probably best to visit in the early mornings, in my opinion.

Macau Night Scene

Is it worth a visit? YES! Macau is known for its vibrant and colorful lights. Make sure you go out at night to explore the night scene. For Saint Paul's Ruins though, it is more beautiful during the day. You can go through the facade and read a bit of its interesting history. Make sure you get egg tarts! They're a definite must, trust me.

Macau Regency Hotel

Our verdict: It was cheap for a 5-star hotel, given the exhorbitant cost of accommodations in Macau these days. It is quite old but I am glad that there is no musty smell in the corridors or in the room itself. The staff were courteous and professional and were kind enough to give us a nice view from our spacious room. Location-wise, it is okay. About a 5-minute walk to the bus stop but the area is peaceful and safe so it's quite nice to walk around. The hotel has free shuttle service to the city center and ferry terminal every hour or one and a half hours. It is very near the airport so you don't have to pay a big sum for taking a taxi. You can miss out on their buffet breakfast though. Extra breakfast costs about 120 MOP and to be honest is not good enough for the price.

Guangzhou Highlights

Chen Clan Academy and Folk Arts Museum

Is it worth a visit? Definitely! It is listed as one of the top national tourist attractions in all of China. It truly takes you back in time to when wooden clogs can be heard on the streets of Canton (old name of Guangzhou) and lifestyle was basic and simple. You get a glimpse of family cultures around that time through works of art. Intriguing art pieces are bountiful in their collections and will truly amaze you, regardless if you are an arts buff or not.

Pearl River Cruise

Is it worth it? A resounding YES! After a long day of walking, shopping and taking crowded public transportation, a perfect way to end your day is a cruise along the famous Pearl River. I urge you to do it during the night to enjoy the breathtaking serenity of lights in the skyline. We had a full hour of relaxing and romantic experience on the ferry. Canton Tower is absolutely gorgeous! I would go again in a heartbeat.

Beijing Highlights

The Streets and Traditional Shops of Beijing

Beihai Park and The White Pagoda

Is it worth a visit? If you love nature, definitely. The huge lake brings a feeling of calm, of time standing still. You can opt to relax aboard petite private boats or explore the temples. You should go up a number of stairs and see the White Pagoda's grandeur. 2 hours can easily pass when you're here, especially since the weather was perfect. There are lots of shops from the East exit offering various Chinese delicacies.

Jingshan Park

Is it worth a visit? If you have an hour to spare and you love landscapes, don't miss out on this place. It offers a panoramic view of the vast Forbidden City and the nearby Beihai Park. I absolutely loved people-watching here. Chinese kids are so cute! Oh, and by the tower you will find the central point of the city. Beijing strictly abided by Feng Shui guidelines and made their significant landmarks follow a North-South axis, gates exactly pointing to the 4 main directions. Yes, we used a compass to test it!

Ming Tombs

Is it worth a visit? If you ike history and culture, do not miss out on Ming Tombs. This is the closest you can get to the remains of an emperor and his empresses. Though there were lots of staircases, the panoramic view of mountains at the top was breathtaking. The doors, we were told were 4 tons in weight! Piles of money offered to the emperor and his empresses were believed to bring prosperity.

Summer Palace

Is it worth a visit? Definitely. From grandpas showcasing their calligraphy skills to long empirical corridors to a chilly boat ride on a lake that would take you 2 days to walk towards the other end, we thoroughly enjoyed our time here. This place holds a lot of interesting historical stories, and is the summer retreat place of the famous Dragon Lady.

Temple of Heaven

Is it worth a visit? This is my personal favorite! The park was alive with people playing cards, doing tai chi, dancing to traditional music, grandmas and grandpas energetically playing badminton with rackets in both hands, and the majestic round temple. Chinese believe that the symbol for heaven is round, so the emperor built this place in honor of the gods. It is best to go during the mornings to appreciate the tranquility of the temple.

Wangfujing District

Is it worth a visit? If you love shopping, you have to go here! The district is especially alive in the evenings. I loved the bright lights and the array of luxury shops. Another reason is to go is to try Beijing streetfood. The streetfood market starts around 5:30PM everyday. See grilled octopus, peking duck, dumplings, dimsums, barbeque lamb, cakes, and a lot lot lot more! It's usually jampacked (like crazy!) but hey, that's how you know it's good right?

Forbidden City

Is it worth a visit? Don't leave Beijing without going here. This vast complex is teeming with history and culture. It was the emperor's residence from the Ming Dynasty towards the end of Qing Dynasty (the last dynasty). There are numerous halls with different themes, an imperial garden, the emperor's throne, his quarters, his empress' quarters, and more importantly his 3000 girlfriends!

Tiananmen Square

Is it worth a visit? If you have an hour or two to spare, please do so. This is the political district of China's capital is and where you will see the portrait of the famous Mao Zedong. The grounds are typically used for nationalistic celebrations. Chairman Mao was quite a political figure. Too bad his mausoleum, the national museum and surrounding historical buildings were closed when we visited due to the National Holidays. It would have been cool to learn more about the history of China.

Great Wall at Mutianyu

Is it worth a visit? Do you need to ask? Haha. This was the highlight of our 11-day trip! They say it would take about 200 years to rebuild the Great Wall during this modern times. How amazing is it that they built this with hand centuries ago? The fort was designed to block Mongolians from attacking China, and its purpose it did well. The section at Mutianyu had a cable car (more like a ski lift) but on your way down, you can opt to ride a slideway or toboggan instead. The air is fresh and crisp at the top and if I had one word to describe the Great Wall, it would be MAJESTIC.

Beijing Sicily Hotel and Restaurant

Our verdict: Great value hotel. It is perfect for those on a budget. We got it online at CNY 239 per night but if you walk in, the price becomes pretty steep (CNY 389 discounted!). The hotel is pretty basic but very clean and well-maintained. Bring your own shampoo though because it is not provided. The major advantage for us is their restaurant which serves mouth-watering yet reasonably-priced food. There is also a convenience store and a marketplace right beside it so it's really convenient. You will not be paying much for taxis because it is only 3 kms away from the city center. It is located in a quiet district so we absolutely got peaceful sleep each night. We loved it! We'll be glad to stay here again.

Travel Tips to China

Book tours in advance especially if you're visiting during national holidays. It can get quite crazy there!

Learn basic Mandarin unless you are very good with charades!

Have your hotel address written in Chinese characters and the attractions you will DIY so the taxi driver can take you there easily.

Always check the weather to know what clothes to wear. Beijing temperature can suddenly drop, you don't want to freeze out there.

If you're into social media, buy VPN before you go there. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and many others are blocked, including Gmail.

Try to bring minimal stuff with you when exploring as you will be walking a LOT.

It is safe to cycle around Beijing, as there are bike lanes everywhere and lots of bike rental shops.

In Macau, take advantage of free shuttles provided by hotels and casinos. You will be able to save a lot on transportation.

Take advantage of the unbelievable bargains in Guangzhou. I was able to buy an original Naturalizer sandals for CNY 100!

Wear ultra comfortable shoes AT ALL TIMES. At the end of the day, your swollen feet will thank you for it.

If you intend to visit these cities, feel free to contact me for any questions you may have. If you've been to these places, please share your stories or tips in the comments section to help out fellow travelers.

We went to Ilocos on December 2012 to celebrate my birthday. Ilocos is renowned for keeping the Spanish architectural influence alive up to the present. Vigan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for best preserving Spanish colonial structures across all of Asia. Currently, it is a nominee for one of the new 7 wonders of the world.

For this trip, we visited the provinces of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. Our first stop was Vigan, the capital of Ilocos Sur. Legend says Vigan got its name from the biga'a crop which was previously abundant in the locale. A Spanish captain was asking what the name of the place was, but the local he was speaking to thought he was pointing to one of the plants and thus replied, "biga'a" which later on became Vigan.

During pre-colonial times, Vigan served as a trading port between FIlipinos and Chinese merchants. Many of the latter settled in Vigan and eventually married Filipinas. Thus traces of Chinese influence are still present today. The ancestral houses along Crisologo Street can attest to this. Tourists can opt to ride a horse-driven native calesa along cobblestoned streets. Feel the rustic ambiance and be taken back in time to when there was no electricity and the air was pollution-free.

Here are Ilocos Sur attractions that we visited:

Calle Crisologo

Bantay Church and Bell Tower

St Paul Metropolitan Cathedral

Crisologo Museum

Paburnayan Clayjars

We also dropped by Baluarte (ni Singson) but was not able to take photos.

Some interesting facts about Ilocos Sur:

Ilocos Sur has 2 ancient baroque churches built in 1765 and 1827. Sta Maria Church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The abel cloth is an original product of Vigan. Its history is traced back even before the Spanish came to the country. Is is said that Spain loved the colorful high-quality cloth so much that Spain's local textile industry almost collapsed due to its popularity. Traditionally, abel was used by locals from birth to death, throughout special ocassions in their lives.

Ilocos Norte has its own set of charming attractions.

Juan Luna Shrine

Paoay Church

Paoay Lake and Sand dunes

Marcos Museum and Mausoleum

Burgos Lighthouse (Cape Bojeador)

Patapat Viaduct

Timmantang Rock and Bantay Abot Cave

Blue Lagoon

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

Saud Beach

Bangui Windmills

Here are interesting facts about Ilocos Norte.

Paoay Church is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest baroque churches in the country.

Each of the 20 majestic windmills stand 70m high and possess 41m long blades.

Cape Bojeador was built during the Spanish era. It boasts of a panoramic view of the West Philippine Sea where galleons reportedly sailed during that time.

Blue Lagoon is also called Maira-ira Beach, situated in Sitio Malingay which is the northernmost tip of Luzon!

We paid a short visit to Malacanang of the North but were too hungry to take photos. It is also a good spot to admire the vastness of Paoay Lake. Aside from these attractions, we really enjoyed eating in Ilocos. Known for its wide usage of bagoong, pinakbet and dinengdeng were surprisingly yummy treats for us, meatlovers. Of course don't leave without trying bagnet and Vigan longganisa. For pasalubong, make sure to get different flavors of chichacorn. Local basi and sukang iloko would be nice to take home as souvenirs from your trip.

Tip for those on a budget: Instead of staying at overpriced hotels, opt to do a homestay. It is cheap, comfortable and a great way to mingle with locals and experience Ilocano hospitality.

Dubbed as the City of Pines and Summer Capital of the Philippines, we had a chance to rediscover the city last summer. To be honest, Baguio City has bored me over the years. We used to visit every year on my dad's birthday and found that there is not much to see anymore. However this year, it was me who created our itinerary. With the addition of a new baby to the family, I needed to make the itinerary as family-oriented as possible. For those who, like me, want to see Baguio City off the beaten path, I would like to share with you the places we visited this time.

Bell House at Camp John Hay

Originally a vacation house of the Commanding General of the country, the Bell House is now a modern museum. It features a cozy home with American style furnishings. In the center of the living room hangs the portrait of John Milton Hay whom the whole camp was named after. I loved the veranda surrounding the entire house. It features panoramic views of Benguet and even Mt. Pulag. There is also a library you can visit, and don't forget to take photos at the ampitheater.

Cemetery of Negativism

I love the concept of this unique attraction. A place to bury all the negativities in your life, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the writings on the little graves. They were examples of man's common negative thoughts, limiting beliefs and heaviest burdens. It is right outside the Bell House so you definitely wouldn't miss it. I was beaming with positivity at the end of our short visit.

Here are a few more photos of the surrounding area.

BenCab Museum

What I loved about this museum is that it features the works of local artists, who are truly exceptional in their craft. I am not really a big fan of art muesums but BenCab graced me with an amazing experience. We hired a guide to better understand the displays since none of us is knowledgeable enough in this field. I was in awe of how meticulously done some creations were. For instance, a big plyboard which was carved using a magnifying glass under direct sunlight and then hand-painted. The carvings were miniature, so it must have really took a lot of time. Another is a large rubber sheet which was also carved and had-painted featuring tiny patterns. I guess my descriptions do not really do justice to the artists' work so you really have to go there and appreciate them yourself. The musem also has a cozy cafe and an eco-trail for those who wish to explore nature. All in all, the museum offers art, local coffee and good dishes, eco-garden and trails, and panoramic views of the mountains.

Bell Church

A Chinese Temple and park, Bell Church was a welcome change to the usual Baguio sight-seeing attractions. We spent an hour or two there, taking lots of pictures, admiring the pagoda and small ponds, and taking in the architecture and landscaping. I highly recommend visiting this place because it will surely give you a nice break from jam-packed Baguio city attractions.

Food Experience

We usually cooked and stayed in the villa throughout the trip because there were so many of us and restaurants were really packed. However Vid and I run off one time to dine out. We went to Cafe by the Ruins near Burnham Park. Yes, the restaurant was really constructed with the ruins still there. It has a cozy ambiance with warm and friendly staff. We chose a table by the garden to feel really close to nature while dining. The interiors were interesting and relaxing, however it was the food they served that made us fall in love with the place. Baguio City is known for its fresh and organic greens and Cafe by the Ruins' menu saw to it that their customers get this. The food was A-MAY-ZING! Local dishes were prepared with a twist and I really loved their red rice. Heck, even Vid who wouldn't eat rice other than white rice enjoyed his meal and ate with so much gusto.

If you're visiting Strawberry Farm, we recommend the food stand at the corner by the parking lot nearest the fields' entrance for a quick snack. They offer shawarma, burgers, potato wedges, etc. I forgot the name of the stall but you will notice it as they offer mexican burger, tacos and nachos. It is really cheap but good and filling. Additionally, try the straberry ice cream sold by peddlers, it is quite yummy.

50's Diner is also a cool dining option. Finally, here is my 5-month old niece enjoying the strawberry ice cream's cone and her happy face afterwards. I think she really loved Baguio as much as we did this time.

Other attractions off the beaten path which are worth visiting are Brahma Kumaris, Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary, Ifugao Woodcarvers' Village and Tam Awan Village.

I bought all my fresh greens at Good Shepherd. Three big bags of your choice of Romaine Lettuce, Iceberg Lettuce, Arrugula, Basil, etc only cost 100 pesos. What a deal! In Manila, these cost 3-4 times more.

We visited Camarines Norte on the summer of 2012. The hubby has relatives in Bicol so we off we went to attend a local festivity. It was utter bliss when I found out that Calaguas Island was accessible from their place. I have long wanted to go to Calaguas but had always been disheartened by the length of the land trip + boat trip, and with camping in the island as the only choice of accommodation. So when a day tour possibility presented itself, my oh my, I swear there were butterflies in my stomach, all of them fluttering so happily!

Our jump off point was Vinzons, but you can also choose Paracale in case. We had to rent the whole banca for the five of us. If I remember we paid somewhere between PHP2000-PHP2500. If you want to save some costs, join another group so you can split the costs among more persons, just agree on the pick up time heading back. Just note that these are not passenger boats, they are fishermen's boats so do not expect comfortable seating for the 1.5-hour boat ride.

All aboard! Here we go.

Scenic Views En Route to Calaguas

the Approach

My Oh My! Hello, Calaguas!

We obviously had so much fun in Calaguas. It is the most perfect swimming beach I have ever been to (considering my love for beaches). From the powdery white sand to the water temperature to the scenic landscape to the green-turquoise-blue waters, it is a gem that has so much potential. To top it off, as we bid Calaguas goodbye, it presented one of the most beautiful sunsets I ever experienced. It was quite nostalgic.

Good Morning Bagasbas!

The next day, we saw the beauty of Bagasbas Beach at sunrise. Bagasbas is only a 10-minute drive from the center of Daet City. I found it surprising that a beatiful beach was so close to the city. They are indeed very blessed. Surfing lessons are available here as nice waves appear frequently.

The trick is to get there very early, as the place fills up as soon as the sun rises. This is a free beach, and a very nice one so people tend to flock here especially during the summer season.

A friendly tip: do not buy your souvenirs here. Get them at the shops in the city center as the price triples in Bagasbas souvenir shops as compared to the city center.

My verdict: Visit Calaguas as soon as you can before it becomes too commercialized. As of this writing, there is a high end hotel being constructed there so prices may skyrocket pretty soon.

We visited Coron on November of 2011. More than 2 years past, I still have fond memories of Coron - its pristine beaches, powdery fine white sand, the marine life, a shipwreck, lagoons, a lake, among others and still remember the charm and beauty of Coron like it was yesterday.

I'd like to share it with you and encourage you to visit when you get a chance. You will surely be proud of the beauty of our country once you do so.

Siete Pecados: Snorkeling Site

Yes, the waters are really this clear. You can see the reefs and fishes even if you don't get in the water.

Fish feeding. Boy, do they love bread! Make sure to buy a pack in the market before you board your boat.

Kayangan Lake

The tiring hike begins. The way back is easier though. A rest stop awaits as soon as you climb the difficult part.

Good that we've stopped to catch our breaths. Now here's the view from the steep climb.

Dipping in the cold lake was so refreshing from the hike.

The lake is bounded by limestone karsts, separating salt water from fresh water.

Banol Beach: Lunch Site

This is a little tradition we do when visiting beaches, sand-made letters of the place + photo op. :)

Oh sand so soft, you let it brush against your face. Yes, planking was cool at that time.

Maquinit Hot Spring

Banana Island: Perfect Photos

Bulog Dos Island: Quick Visit

Malcapuya Island: Chillin'

Here are a couple of shots from the pension house we stayed in. They had the best food! We went scouting for good eats but sadly there were none better than Ralph's (now known as Zuric Pension under a new owner).

We had a blast in Coron despite the stormy weather. It is truly blessed by mother nature. I would gladly come back anytime.

For the last leg of my US experience, I visited my aunt and her family in New York. I only had 2 days to spare because I need to get back to Manila real soon due to family gatherings. Anyway, I left Florida in the afternoon and had a connecting flight via Atlanta before heading to The Big Apple.

Alicia Key's voice was constantly playing in my head as I watched the sunset on the plane. "...New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there's nothing you can't do..." Yes I WAS EXCITED. Afterall I will be going on a Sex and the City tour, my favorite TV series of all time. *giggles*

Sunset en route to Atlanta. Here I come, NYC!

In a few hours, I landed at JFK where my relatives picked me up. We had a drive thru at Popeye's before heading home and had a feast of the best fried chicken I had in 2 weeks. I really wish Popeye's didn't go out of business in Manila. Oh well.

Early the next day, it was time to see THE city. These were my first sights of Manhattan: double decker tourist buses, familiar street names and surprisingly, a church and cemetery in the heart of the city.

We then went to Ground Zero, the site of the 9/11 bombing. World Trade Center was being constucted around that time and I had mixed emotions visiting the site.

Though the sight of fallen leaves was beautiful, it somehow gave a feeling of mourning even more.

Moving on to our next destination... The Pulitzer fountain just around Central Park was the pick up point of my much awaited SATC tour. Before heading there, I took some shots of the famous Central Park's south side entrance and the surrounding streets.

In Manhattan, people walk and walk and walk and walk. Need I say more? So if you're visiting, make sure you slip on a pair of really comfortable shoes. Finally, we made it to the Pulitzer fountain and started our bus tour.

My sincere apologies for not taking as much photos. I was so engrossed with the tour that I forgot my camera altogether. Sheesh. The tour has 4 stops where you get to hop off the bus, but the most part of it is spent driving around Manhattan where the tour guide plays scenes from the TV show and the movie as you drive by those locations.

The first stop was a sex store. Yep! I guess that explains why I don't have a lot of pictures. The Pleasure Chest featured "The Rabbit" from the TV series which got Charlotte addicted to the point that she wouldn't even meet the girls for brunch. Too bad I couldn't take pictures.

The second stop was the restaurant where Carrie and Aidan had their wedding rehearsal dinner, also the location for the "last single girl kiss" in the movie. Photos are above.

The third stop was the Greenwich Village where Carrie confided in Miranda about Aidan. We had Magnolia cupcakes! Oh My God, I was totally at a loss of words. Their cupcakes are D-I-V-I-N-E. That is coming from someone who's not fond of sweets and that is saying something. Here are photos of the village and Magnolia's.

The last stop was the bar Aidan and Steve put together all dressed up for Halloween. We had COSMOPOLITANS, of course! It was fun fun fun!

This was the conclusion of the tour and soon we were dropped off at the Pulitzer Fountain. En route to Times Square, I tried to take more photos of buildings. The problem I have taking buildings' photos in Manhattan is that the buildings were simply TOO TALL. I would have to be so far away to take a photo showing the whole building. Alicia Keys was not kidding, it really is a concrete jungle out there.

Left: Donald Trump's Building. Top right: Federal Office Building (a.k.a. Post Office). Bottom Second to the Left: Empie State Building.

And finally, the famous Times Square.

Manhattan was fun even if all I got was a glimpse. There are still a lot to see and experience in the city that never sleeps, where no stars can be seen because the lights from below are brighter than the stars. I would love to experience New Year's Eve in Times Square or the Rockefeller Center. But until then, keep shining NYC!

Finally, after a week of hard work it was time to have some weekend fun. Orlando is a little over an hour's drive, maybe two, from Jacksonville where I was staying for a 2-week business trip. Summer was almost over and Halloween was fast approaching so the weather was great for being out all day in the Sunshine State.

The drive was a breeze, save for one time I almost ran over an armadillo on the highway! Other than that, the journey was a pleasant experience.

We made it (without being tailed or pulled over by cops), yay! :)

Starving from our journey, we proceeded immediately to have a feast. Lo and behold, a NASCAR restaurant! I am fond of sports cars so this was a real treat for me.

Sorry to disappoint you guys but as much as I enjoyed the restaurant's ambiance, the food wasn't that great. In fact for its price, it was probably the least appetizing I had during my stay in the US. So if you're thinking of eating here, don't set high expectations.

It was finally time to go on an adventure. Boy, I was in for a surprise. It was ultimately fun, both for my heart and for my eyes. Everything was interesting, and I hoped we had started our day early because the queues to the rides could take an hour.

Now I'd like to share more photos of the best theme park I've ever been in so far. :)

Not for the faint-hearted!!!

Captain America was sizzling HOT-T-T! Seriously.

Personal biases involved, I say this is the best theme park all because of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Yes, I AM a huge Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling's genius fan. J.K. Rowling is amazing. Period.

And finally, Hogwarts which housed the coolest ride I have ever been in - Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. FIrst it takes you through the scenes and environments in and around the Hogwarts Castle and then you take your seat on a 4/5-seater side-by-side swing-like bench. It is a 4-D experience. Until now I cannot picture how the ride works because it's like you're viewing a huge 360-degree screen the entire time. It's a dark scenic ride with lots of twists and turns, like you're in a Quidditch match or being chased by dementors. Hands down, it was absolutely AMAZING. You'll definitely enjoy this ride regardless if you're a Harry Potter fan or not.

Thank you Universal Studios! It was time well-spent. I'll definitely be back.

En route to Florida for a business trip, I had an 8-hour layover in Detroit, my entry point to the US from Manila. It was a Saturday and the weather was good since fall was fast approaching. So, the curious wanderer in me started to call my name and urged me to go out. I knew I would regret wasting my time in the airport and not seeing the city. I took a cab and headed to the downtown area where I heard there was a Weekend Market.

Detroit was a refreshing respite, being used to the sights of Asia. The weekend market was mostly filled with plants and lovely flowers. Pumpkins of all sizes were being sold because Halloween was just around the corner.

I noticed that there were not many people around despite it being the weekend. It was indeed too quiet for a marketplace. Here are the photos I took of the market and the downtown area.

I was surprised to see a lot of seagulls. I found out later on that there is a beach near the city, the Belle Isle Beach. If I had more time, I would definitely go see it.

I tried a local pizza parlor named Supino. I was surprised to get a gigantic slice for only 2USD. While it only looks like your regular pizza, you are being deceived. It is heaven! The crust has a perfect crunch while the toppings' flavors burst into perfection in your mouth. This was definitely a good find.

Unfortunately, Detroit was badly hit by the recession at around that time (2010). This explains why there were not so many people around. I even saw the Ford Motor Company building, which was apparently closed. That is too bad, but hopefully by now they had gotten back to their feet and have started afresh.

Before I knew it, I had to get back to the airport and say goodbye to the city. Until next time, then.

A heart-shaped island? Yes, this is the aerial view of charming Bonito Island in Mabini, Batangas.

Photo Credits: http://www.bonitoislandresort.com/

Now that your interest is piqued, let me show you more.

These snapshots were taken at Bonito Island, Mabini, Batangas. Going there will take you about a 2-hour drive from Manila to Mabini port and a 30-minute boat ride to the island arranged by the resort management. Trips are pre-booked and cheaper if you are a large group, preferably 20 persons or more.

What we love best about Bonito Island: 1. Crystal clear waters and abundant marine life. Snorkeling is indeed an experience you won't forget. 2. The package was cheap. We got it at around PhP2,200/pax from 11AM to 2PM the next day. It includes the boat transfers, full board meals and accommodations, from Day 1 lunch and dinner to Day 2 breakfast and lunch. 3. Since we were the only guests, the island is practically ours. It is serene and truly relaxing. There are no videoke sessions and crowds around. 4. They offer diving lessons at a cheap price.

Unfortunately, the island does not have fresh water yet so you'll have to make do with saltwater when showering. There is also no electricity so only generators are provided for air-conditioning. You may arrange what time they will turn it on and off though. We had them turned on after lunch till late afternoon for siesta and around 9PM till 7AM. It worked alright for us.

These are small prices to pay for the Bonito Island experience that we still talk about until now. If you really want to get away from crowds, noise and just pass time enjoying marine life, the sea breeze and a bonfire at night, Bonito Island is the vacation to take.